Wisconsin Football Lauds Remarkable Growth of Linebacker Room

The Wisconsin Badgers football team has been known for churning out linebackers over the past decade. However, last season saw a noticeable dip in linebacker production, with Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel introducing a new defensive scheme.

Tressel’s 3-5-5 nickel-based defense presented challenges in blending assignments with the existing roster, resulting in uneven play on the field. Recognizing the need for change, the Wisconsin football team underwent a significant overhaul of its linebacking corps during the offseason.

The transfer additions of Jaheim Thomas from Arkansas, Tackett Curtis from USC, and Sebastian Cheeks from North Carolina through the portal have added a ton of competition to the Badgers linebacker room.

“If I would say there’s probably the biggest difference in one group, it might be there,” Fickell told reporters. “You know length, some athleticism, some competitiveness now that you have five guys or so, six guys in the mix, trying to battle for two, and then you’ll there’ll be some opportunities we’ll have three of those guys on the field.”

ILBs —> “If I would say there’s probably the biggest difference in one group, it might be there.” 👀⏳ pic.twitter.com/5sNPTg6ZMG

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) April 2, 2024

The portal additions join a group of Wisconsin football inside backers led by Jake Chaney, the top returning tackler at the position. Chaney finished the 2023 season with 80 tackles, 14 pressures, and 3.0 sacks.

“Jake Chaney is still the leader of that group,” Fickell said. “He’s done an unbelievable job at embracing it, bringing those guys in, and kind of being the guy that promotes the competition, so I feel like we’re in a really good place there with his leadership.”

Sophomore Christian Alliegro is another young player who showed some promising flashes last season that could factor in. A source shared with Badgernotes this offseason that freshman Landon Gauthier has been better than anticipated, and while it might not lead to seeing snaps this season, it is an encouraging development for the future.

When Wisconsin football kicks off its season in September, it will be missing two of its long-time contributors at inside backer, Maema Njnongmeta and Jordan Turner. Njnongmeta is headed to the NFL, while Turner has transferred to Michigan State. The hope is that the Badgers now have a combination of linebackers who can play in space and excel in game plans requiring players to fill gaps.

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